Australia breaks Peru's World Cup dream with substitute goalkeeper 

It’s a dark day for South American soccer. Once again, Australia eliminated a South American team in a World Cup playoff penalty shootout. After beating Uruguay on the road to Germany 2006, the "Socceroos" now shattered the hopes of Peru, who were dreaming of playing in their second consecutive World Cup after Russia 2018. Substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne was the star of Australia's victory over Peru 5-4 in a penalty shootout to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

¡El héroe de Australia! la atajada de Andrew Redmayne clasificó a los @socceroos y desató la locura de sus compañeros. ¡Australia estará en #Qatar2022! pic.twitter.com/4N7IQHhIai

— Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) June 13, 2022

The intercontinental playoff, played at Qatar's Al-Rayyan Stadium, ended goalless after extra time in a match where the Inca team was unable to impose its creative soccer against the organized Australian defense. 

Peru suffered in the last minutes and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese had to appear to prevent the goal of the Oceanic team after a shot by Jackson Irvine. The team led by Ricardo "Tigre" Gareca had its chance in extra time with a header by Edison Flores that hit the post of the goal defended by Australian captain Matt Ryan.

¿El momento del partido? Graham Arnold, entrenador de @Socceroos, cambió de arquero apenas minutos antes de que termine el tiempo extra. A la cancha Andrew Redmayne para atajar en la tanda de penales. pic.twitter.com/DBgNSJsWgv

— Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) June 13, 2022

In the final minute of extra time, coach Graham Arnold played his surprise card by bringing on substitute goalkeeper and penalty specialist Redmayne. The goalkeeper was influential in Luis Advíncula's miss and saved the decisive penalty taken by Peru's Alex Valera to give Australia a 5-4 win in the shootout.

Otro grupo definido. Australia se enfrentará al campeón vigente Francia, a Dinamarca y Túnez en el Grupo D de la Copa Mundial #Qatar2022. pic.twitter.com/CY5EbNojS6

— Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) June 13, 2022

Before each of Peru's penalty kicks, Redmayne, who was only in his third international appearance, danced on the goal line in an attempt to distract his opponent. The strategy worked. Redmayne came into play specifically for the penalty shootout and emerged as a hero, while coach Arnold looked like a genius.

BREAKING: @Socceroos are through to the World Cup 🟡🟢🟡🟢 @Tonaaayy_ was in the thick of it at Melbourne’s Fed Square when Australia defeated Peru in a penalty shoot-out!

#AUSvPER pic.twitter.com/YVTkspVIe3

— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) June 13, 2022

Australia will now compete in its fifth consecutive World Cup, a streak it began in 2006. The team will take its place in Group D along with France, Denmark, and Tunisia. 

For Peru, it seems to be the end of the cycle of a historic generation led by Gareca, with Gallese, Advíncula, Yotún, Tapia, Cueva, and André Carrillo, who made the country dream of another World Cup.